Keychron C1 Pro vs Keychron C3 Pro
The Keychron C1 Pro and the Keychron C3 Pro are close alternatives. The main differences: the Keychron C3 Pro is the cheaper of the two at $35 versus $40; the Keychron C1 Pro is hot-swap while the Keychron C3 Pro is soldered; stock, the Keychron C1 Pro sounds clacky stock and the Keychron C3 Pro surprisingly thocky.
- Lower priceKeychron C3 Pro$35 versus $40
- Easier to modKeychron C1 Prohot-swap sockets and QMK/VIA
4.4463 ratings· Amazon
Choose the Keychron C1 Pro if
- you mainly want it for programming.
- you mainly want it for office.
- you want to swap switches without soldering.
Choose the Keychron C3 Pro if
- you mainly want it for beginners.
- you mainly want it for gaming.
- you want to spend less ($35).
Keychron C1 Pro vs Keychron C3 Pro, spec by spec
| Keychron C1 Pro | Keychron C3 Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Layout | TKL | TKL |
| Height | Standard | Standard |
| Connectivity | Wired | Wired |
| Hot-swap | Yes (stronger spec) | No |
| Keycaps | double-shot PBT, OEM profile | ABS, OEM profile |
| Case | ABS plastic | ABS plastic |
| Mount | Tray | Gasket |
| Backlight | RGB | White / none |
| QMK / VIA | Yes | Yes |
| Battery | n/a | n/a |
| Typical price | $40 | $35 (stronger spec) |
| Sound (stock) | clacky stock | surprisingly thocky |
| Released | 2023 | 2023 |
Highlighted rows are where the two differ; a check marks the objectively stronger spec (price, battery, modability). Feel and preference rows never get a check. Fields marked n/a are unpublished by the maker; we list only verifiable numbers.
Where they sit among all 509 boards we track
1% of the 509 boards tracked here cost less than the Keychron C1 Pro; 0% of the 509 boards tracked here cost less than the Keychron C3 Pro.
Where to buy the Keychron C1 Pro
Where to buy the Keychron C3 Pro
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